Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to start today by speaking on the issue of youth. As I do that, I would like to send greetings back to my wife and children.

Mr. Speaker, youth in the Northwest Territories have proven to be very resilient in the issues that they have to deal with day to day. At this time of year, they are looking forward to the last days of school. I know in Inuvik, the schools are out on the 29th of this month, tomorrow. They are looking forward to spending time with families and friends out in the camps in the Delta, as well as some travelling south on holidays.

Mr. Speaker, we in government have spoken a great deal to youth in the Northwest Territories. I think this year, we have shown that we have done some positive things by putting more money into the budget of Education, Culture and Employment. We have heard a number of times that to have a positive impact on our youth and children of the Northwest Territories, we have to start at a young age.

I would like to raise the issue a little higher here, more than speaking of what we need to do, but to speak of what we are doing, Mr. Speaker. We can say we are putting more money towards something, but if it is not in a controlled manner with expected outcomes, are we truly doing the youth a service in the Northwest Territories?

They are the largest part of our population, and growing from 15 and under in the Northwest Territories, Mr. Speaker. We need to pay more attention to what their needs are and hear from them. We have heard a number of times in this House the Minister responsible for Youth speak to the issue and travelling to many of the communities to hear their concerns. Hopefully, from all of this, we will hear at some point some recommendations going to other Ministers in this government as to what they can do within their budgets and controls to try to bring more success and results to the youth of the Northwest Territories.

With that, I will be following up with questions to the Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment later on. Thank you.

-- Applause